NYRA Promotes Campo, Bracken, and Thill

Paul J. Campo, Elizabeth Bracken, and Tom Thill have joined NYRA.

The New York Racing Association announced April 18 that Paul J. Campo has been named vice president and director of racing, effective immediately.

Known as “PJ,” Campo has been racing secretary at all three NYRA tracks since July 2005. In his position as director of racing, he will oversee a staff of 75 and will be responsible for managing day-to-day racing operations, writing the condition book, and stall allocations.

Since joining NYRA in 1996, Campo has served as a clerk/racing official, assistant racing secretary, and racing secretary/handicapper.

A resident of Connecticut, Campo, 33, is the son of the late trainer John Campo Sr., who conditioned 1981 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes (both gr. I) winner Pleasant Colony, among other champions.

“PJ has done a brilliant job since he was promoted to racing secretary,” said Charles Hayward, NYRA president and CEO. “There are many challenges in running 250 live race days each year and PJ brings great intelligence, experience, and enthusiasm to this difficult task. He is a vital member of the NYRA senior management team.”

NYRA also announced that Elizabeth Bracken has been named vice president and director of simulcast sales and content acquisition, effective immediately.

Bracken joined NYRA in 1997 and was named director of simulcasting in 2001. She manages and oversees the export of television simulcasts of NYRA racing to more than 1,000 outlets worldwide, as well as the import to all three NYRA tracks of Thoroughbred racing simulcasts from up to 25 locations in the United States and Canada. Bracken, 40, lives in Long Island, N.Y.

“Liz handles a very complex grid of simulcast sales and imports with distinction,” said Hal Handel, NYRA executive vice president and COO. “She is a key part of our management group.”

Joining NYRA as vice president and chief information officer, effective April 14, is Tom Thill.

Thill comes to NYRA from the Daily Racing Form where he was senior vice president of operations. His responsibilities at NYRA include development of a broad range of information technology initiatives and improvements, upgrade of telephone communications systems, and technological support for NYRA television operations. Thill, 40, lives in Connecticut with his wife and two daughters.

“I am thrilled that Tom Thill has joined the NYRA team,” said Hayward. “The racing industry has been slow to respond to technological change. Tom’s technical knowledge and management skills will be critical elements in transforming NYRA’s business practices.”